Pick Up The Pieces TN

01/30/2026

Promoting safe traffic stops for autistic drivers

Autistic drivers may obtain a blue envelope stored in their vehicles to improve safe communications with law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Engagement Unit partners with the KTG Foundation of Harriman, Tenn., to supply the free blue envelopes to autistic drivers.

The envelope advises autistic drivers to notify the officer they have a blue envelope and how the autistic driver will communicate through vocal speech, sign language, pictures, an electronic device or writing.

Officers are advised the driver may:

• Show signs of anxiety due to the flashing blue lights and noises from the radio.

• Display repetitive body movements of fidgeting and have unusual eye contact.

• Have unusual responses to authority figures.

Officers are requested to allow the driver extra time to respond, speak simply and show patience.

If the driver becomes upset, the officer may call the person listed on the contact card in the envelope for help.

The blue envelope packet may be picked up for free from the Sheriff’s Office Community Engagement Unit at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro.

Also, the Tennessee Department of Revenue has the Precious Cargo program, which makes traffic stops safer for autistic people and others with disabilities, as well as their families.

This is a voluntary program to add a private note to a vehicle’s registration. The note informs officers and emergency responders someone in the vehicle has a disability or medical condition and may need extra time, patience or help.

The person registering the vehicle, parents or legal guardians can apply for the designation through the Department of Revenue.

This program helps people with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome and other medical conditions.

To enroll:
· Fill out the application

· Ask a doctor to complete the medical section

· Turn in the signed form to your local county clerk

Here is the link to register:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/VS-12292021.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

01/29/2026

Looking for caregiver support or community events?

Our website’s Events Page is your go-to spot for the latest on virtual support groups and community-wide events happening through the end of 2026!

Stay connected, find encouragement, and discover opportunities to engage with caregivers and advocates across Tennessee.

👉 Check it out today: www.tncaregiver.org/events

01/29/2026

Due to weather, we've postponed this workshop until next week. Same time, same place. Hope you can make it!

01/28/2026

🏠 A while back, I had a new neighbor move into the house behind me. It was a sweet, new family, and we finally got a chance to meet each other. 😀

I learned that Brittany was a photographer and trying to acquire new clients here. She also was offering brand photos for businesses and was trying to make her way in the digital world. 📷

I booked a quick session with her one day and it was so fun! I mean who doesn't love to get dolled up for photos!💁‍♀️

Go follow StoryHouse Collective and follow Brittany! 🤩

Pick Up The Pieces TN

01/28/2026

Here is our Schedule for Wednesday, Jan 28. Looks like a lot of us still dont have power so if you need a warm space, need to charge your phones, kiddos need to burn some energy, please drop in! Hopefully this will all be behind us very soon!

01/28/2026

Throwing back, not that long ago, to warmer days and doing my first podcast with 111 Years Experience Podcast. It was a blast!😀 The laughter, the stories..the CONNECTION! 🔗

Check out Annie and Suzanne as they share their experiences!

https://youtu.be/Iko0tfw6yGI?si=lAAeWAvNUt2kRGRB

Pick Up The Pieces TN
111 Years Experience Podcast

For those that don't know, we attended a resource fair where we networked and connected with different companies and teams all providing great resources for ...

01/27/2026

Families of teens/adults with ASD
That have aspirations for post-secondary education
At a university, community college,
or vocational technical school

Check this out!

Apply by following the link
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select
"Apply Here"

https://autismtn.org/page/Scholarship

01/27/2026

Slowly but surely, we’re getting back to our regular schedule! 💛

We had so many families come in today (Monday) who didn’t have heat or power at home, and we were so happy to be a warm place for everyone—even if it was just for a little while. Our own house doesn’t have power either, so our kids were extra thankful for all the company!

This week is still feeling a little unpredictable, but we’re hoping to be back to our regular schedule by Wednesday 🤞

As always, keep checking this page for the most up-to-date info! We look forward to seeing our friends at the gym on Tuesday!

01/27/2026

ندعوك لقضاء بضع دقائق للتعرف على كيفية دعم فريقنا للعائلات في جميع أنحاء ولاية تينيسي. سيمنحك مقطع الفيديو الجديد لدينا—الذي تم إنشاؤه بالشراكة مع Disability Coalition—فهمًا أفضل لكيفية مساعدتنا للعائلات التي لديها أطفال وشباب من ذوي الإعاقات من الولادة وحتى سن 26 عامًا.

توفر TNSTEP تدريبات مجانية، ودعمًا مخصصًا، وموارد لمساعدة العائلات في التنقل خلال التدخل المبكر، وفهم الحقوق بموجب قانون تعليم الأفراد ذوي الإعاقات (IDEA)، والانتقال من خدمات التدخل المبكر إلى خدمات سن المدرسة، والاستعداد لاجتماعات IEP و504، والعمل مع فرق المدارس، والتخطيط لما بعد المرحلة الثانوية.

نحن لا نقدم خدمات تمثيل مدفوعة الأجر. بل هدفنا هو تزويدك بالأدوات والمعرفة التي تحتاجها لتشعر بالثقة في دعم تعليم طفلك.

📽️ شاهد وشارك الفيديو بلغات متعددة!
الإنجليزية: https://youtu.be/dfrAXI6qxGs
الإسبانية: https://youtu.be/fnZ-Ms0nnuM
الماندرين: https://youtu.be/ZSYyMKbTpU4?si=Qfi1qOpbh4dN7dMT
العربية: https://youtu.be/hmqtDROZjdg

01/27/2026

We’re back to our normal schedule! 🗓️Bring the kids to burn off some energy during Open Play 9-6, or drop them off for mini camp 9-1! If you’re looking for an hour of supervision, call or DM to check availability. 📲 Everything else can be booked online. The sun ☀️ is shining, we’re nearly on the other side! ⛄️ Stay warm out there!

01/27/2026

Join us for our upcoming community of practice where we will highlight low-intensity, high-impact instructional strategies that can be used with all students to prevent and respond to challenging behavior. This is a two-part series.

https://www.tennesseetsc.org/events/low-intensity-high-impact-strategies